Manchester United extend Nemanja Matic contract until 2021

Manchester United have triggered a one-year extension to keep Nemanja Matic at the club for another season.

The midfielder has enjoyed a resurgence in form since the turn of the year - convincing Ole Gunnar Solskjær he still has a future at Old Trafford.

No decision has been made on a longer term deal for the 31-year-old - but by triggering their option United have ensured he will be available to them if the Premier League season is forced to go beyond the end of June.

United refused to rush into a decision over the Serbia international, who looked set to leave at the end of the season.

But he has been in outstanding form since coming in to replace Scott McTominay, who missed two months with knee ligament damage.

Clubs in Italy led the race for Matic if he became a free agent, with Inter and AC Milan among those interested.

Matic was one of a host of leading players around Europe who faced an uncertain end to the season as they approach the end of their contracts.

The widespread postponement of leagues around the continent has raised the prospect of players’ deals expiring before the end of their respective campaigns.

Insiders are describing it as a potentially ‘huge problem’ with players, agents and clubs uncertain of where they stand.

Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Juventus could all be impacted as star players become free agents this summer.

Chelsea have Willian, Olivier Giroud and Pedro all out of contract, which could potentially pile the pressure on them to hand out new deals to ensure they are eligible.

If not, it would lead to the confusing situation of players being registered for the season, yet out of contract with their respective clubs.

Figures inside the game have expressed uncertainty over where their clients would stand in such exceptional circumstances.